At trial in April, the court heard how the three had conspired to steal the cable, which weighed 10 tonnes, in August 2012.

Chandler, who worked at the depot where the burglary took place, reported the break-in on August 6, despite being part of the gang responsible for the theft.

His part in the crime came to light after an anonymous tip-off led officers to Horsefield’s address in Doncaster where three drums of cable and several thousand pounds in cash were discovered. Moore had hired the lorry used to transport the cable.